From the Pacific Coast to The Italian Coast..photos and menu

wild agave  ..once they flower and produce off shoots, the main plant dies

clouds over The Sta Monica Mountains

wild anise/fennel

The Topanga Creek flows into the Pacific Ocean..Topanga was one site of Native Chumash,( over 150 yrs ago) and there are  rock carvings further into canyon where they ground acorns into their staple flour..the creek was their source of fresh water

quartz in rocks

paddling in the clear water

lone surfer

Yesterday I spent the day at Topanga State Beach just north of Sta Monica,( a "hidden Gem off Pacific Coast Highway popular with locals as a surfing beach..and well off the tourist map) and had a great time just paddling in the ocean and collecting pebbles, today I am putting together a "rustic"..simple country fayre of Italy...and the day spent yesterday reminds me of the people playing on the black "beaches" of Italy as we made out way to the Port of Rome, ( working as a chef on the motor yacht Brave Goose, from Antibes, France) and the wonderful small inlet private beaches around Portofino..enjoy the photos and tomorrow's menu are going to be very light summery sauces for pasta or rice..just handfuls of fresh herbs and veggies sauteed in wine and or olive oil..Rustic as with most very good Italian dishes, makes use of whatever is available fresh and at it's peak, Minestrone can contain anything, you should never just use one recipe . That I think is so true of most of the Italian provinces....
I also have pounds and pounds of fresh organic own grown tomatoes to use

Soups;
pasta with potatoes..red potatoes, garlic, parsley, olive oil, celery, carrots

Greens ( collards) with fresh green beans and onions in a good veggie broth


Sides:
Zucchini with olive oil, garlic and fresh tomatoes to be served over brown rice

Sauteed asparagus, artichoke hearts and pine nuts, again with a hint garlic, tomatoes and finished with fresh chopped mint..also with brown rice

A great salad of chickpeas with Romaine hearts, a red wine and olive oil dressing and torn basil leaves, finished with goat cheese

Desserts:
A totally Vegan Polenta cake ( no eggs)..flavored with ground almonds and orange zest & toasted pine nuts

Almond & date oatmeal cookies..high soluble fiber and protein, low sugar


own grown:
Own grown sprouted legumes, blue & beige lentils, chickpeas, green peas, black eyed peas.

Rejuvelak..non-dairy, pro-biotic

Looking north across to Malibu

private beach homes

Looking across the bay to Sta Monica